Trump Files Defamation Counterclaim Against E. Jean Carroll

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 09: Writer E. Jean Carroll leaves a Manhattan courthouse after a jury found former President Donald Trump liable for sexually abusing her in a Manhattan department store in the 1990s on May 09, 2023, in New York City. The jury awarded her $5 million in damages for her battery and defamation claims. Carroll has testified that she was raped by former President Trump, giving details about the alleged attack in the mid-1990s. Trump had stated that the attack never happened and has denied meeting her. He did not take the stand during the trial. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

In his ongoing legal dispute with author E. Jean Carroll, former President Donald Trump on Tuesday filed a counterclaim accusing her of defamation. 

The former president had accused Carroll of defaming him during an appearance on CNN on May 10 when she said Trump raped him – a day after a jury ruled that he did not commit rape, reported The Hill.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE – JUNE 27: Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump stands on stage after being introduced during the New Hampshire Federation of Republican Women’s Lilac Luncheon on June 27, 2023 in Concord, New Hampshire. Republican presidential candidate, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is also holding a campaign event in New Hampshire today. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images) 

In his counterclaim, Trump said Carroll’s statement, “Oh yes he did, oh yes he did,” made in response to a question about the jury’s ruling on CNN, was false and defamatory.

This came a month after a jury’s verdict held the former president responsible for sexual abuse and defamation. 

Carroll made “these false statements with actual malice and ill will with an intent to significantly and spitefully harm and attack,” the counterclaim states. 

Trump “has been the subject of significant harm to his reputation, which, in turn, has yielded an inordinate amount of damages sustained as a result,” it said. 

“The interview was on television, social media, and multiple internet websites, with the intention of broadcasting and circulating these defamatory statements among a significant portion of the public,” Trump’s lawyers argued in the filing.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 09: Joe Tacopina, Attorney for former President Donald Trump, speaks to reporters after the civil trial against former President Donald Trump at Manhattan Federal Court on May 09, 2023 in New York City. Trump was found liable for battery and defamation against Carroll who testified that she was raped by former President Trump, giving details about the alleged attack in the mid-1990s. Trump has stated that the attack never happened and has denied meeting her. He did not take the stand during the trial. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) 

This came after Carroll earlier this month received approval from a federal judge to proceed with a separate defamation case against the former president, seeking $10 million in damages.

Meanwhile, Trump has sought a Manhattan federal judge’s permission to designate the $5 million owed to writer Carroll in a defamation case as cash rather than a bond. The move will save the former president a 1% bond premium or $55,500 in cash as he appeals Carroll’s May sex abuse and defamation trial victory. 

Trump did not take the stand to defend himself in trial prior to the verdict finding him liable.

“The interview was on television, social media and multiple internet websites, with the intention of broadcasting and circulating these defamatory statements among a significant portion of the public,” said Trump’s lawyers.

In a video showed to a New York grand jury, Trump claimed in the video that the woman in the picture was his ex-wife, Marla Maples, instead of Carroll.

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